U.S. patent application number 17/348116 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-26 for maritime wireless communication system and method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Invention is credited to Ki Seon KIM, Min Seok Kim, Myoung Shin Kwak, Pranesh Psthapit.
Application Number | 20220161898 17/348116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005683976 |
Filed Date | 2022-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220161898 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Ki Seon ; et
al. |
May 26, 2022 |
MARITIME WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
According to an embodiment, a maritime wireless communication
system comprises a communication module installed in the at least
one buoy, providing sensing information, identification
information, and location information for the at least one buoy and
a gateway device installed in each of a fishing vessel terminal
device and a managing vessel terminal device, performing
communication with the at least one buoy and a land control center
via a long range (LoRa)-based communication network to provide
various types of fishery information, and setting different
communication options for a normal condition and the event
condition in performing a communication connection function.
Inventors: |
KIM; Ki Seon; (Gwangju,
KR) ; Kwak; Myoung Shin; (Gwangju, KR) ;
Psthapit; Pranesh; (Gwangju, KR) ; Kim; Min Seok;
(Gwangju, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
Gwangju |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005683976 |
Appl. No.: |
17/348116 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20130101;
B63B 22/00 20130101; H04B 17/327 20150115; B63B 2022/006 20130101;
H04L 67/12 20130101; H04B 17/336 20150115 |
International
Class: |
B63B 22/00 20060101
B63B022/00; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08; G08C 17/02 20060101
G08C017/02; H04B 17/336 20060101 H04B017/336; H04B 17/327 20060101
H04B017/327 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 25, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0160427 |
Claims
1. A maritime wireless communication system performing wireless
communication between at least one buoy, a fishing vessel terminal
device, a managing vessel terminal device, or a land control
center, the maritime wireless communication system comprising: a
communication module installed in the at least one buoy, providing
sensing information using at least one sensor, providing
identification information and location information for the at
least one buoy, and ensuring communication connectivity when an
event condition including fishing gear loss occurs; and a gateway
device installed in each of the fishing vessel terminal device and
the managing vessel terminal device, performing communication with
the at least one buoy and the land control center via a long range
(LoRa)-based communication network to provide various types of
fishery information including locations and conditions of a fishing
vessel and fishing gear and a location of lost fishing gear, and
setting different communication options for a normal condition and
the event condition in performing a communication connection
function, wherein the communication module of the at least one buoy
and the gateway device installed in each of the fishing vessel
terminal device and the managing vessel terminal device form a main
communication channel through a public LoRa network for low-power
long-range communication and, in a shadow area, releases the main
communication channel with the public LoRa network and then forms a
sub communication channel through a private LoRa network, and
wherein the gateway device sets a reference spreading factor
applied to each of the at least one buoy based on a communication
quality of the at least one buoy and changes the reference
spreading factor into a spreading factor higher than the reference
spreading factor when the event condition occurs in performing
communication with the at least one buoy, wherein the at least one
buoy includes: a power module providing power required for
operating the at least one buoy; a sensor module including at least
one of a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an
acoustic sensor and providing detected information; a global
positioning system (GPS) reception module providing the location
information for the at least one buoy using a GPS signal; a light
indicator indicating a location of the at least one buoy; and a
control module processing a signal transmitted or received by the
communication module and controlling an overall operation of the at
least one buoy, wherein each of the fishing vessel terminal device
and the managing vessel terminal device includes the gateway
device, a terminal, and an underwater acoustic tracker, wherein the
underwater acoustic tracker includes: a serial interface (I/F) unit
connected with the terminal using serial communication; a
transmission sensor transmitting an acoustic signal to the at least
one buoy; a reception sensor receiving an acoustic signal from the
at least one buoy; a multi-channel signal processing module
detecting all information transmitted from the at least one buoy; a
multi-channel sound transmission module and a multi-channel sound
reception module receiving a sound signal of a frequency band
ranging from 5 Hz to 2,400 Hz at a certain depth, analyzing a
strength and direction of the sound signal, multiplexing or
demultiplexing the analyzed sound signal, and then transmitting the
multiplexed or demultiplexed sound signal; a control module
receiving a communication option and the identification information
for the at least one buoy from the terminal, transmitting, to the
at least one buoy, the identification information according to the
communication option, receiving the identification information for
the at least one buoy and battery status information from the at
least one buoy, and transmitting the received identification
information and battery status information to the terminal; and a
battery providing power required for operating the underwater
acoustic tracker, and wherein the gateway device measures the
communication quality based on signal quality including a received
signal strength indication (RSSI) or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
of a signal transmitted or received with the at least one buoy and
sets the reference spreading factor based on the measured
communication quality.
2.-3. (canceled)
4. The maritime wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein
the gateway device includes: a broadband communication module
supporting Internet-of-things (IoT) platform-based low-power
broadband communication; a public LoRa module supporting a wireless
protocol with the public LoRa network; a private LoRa module
supporting a wireless protocol with the private LoRa network; a GPS
reception module providing location information for the fishing
vessel terminal device or the managing vessel terminal device using
a GPS signal; and a control module selectively connecting to the
public LoRa network or the private LoRa network depending on a
state of the public LoRa network or the private LoRa network,
setting a communication option depending on the normal condition or
the event condition, and controlling the broadband communication
module, the public LoRa module, the private LoRa module, and the
GPS reception module.
5. A maritime wireless communication method performing wireless
communication between at least one buoy, a fishing vessel terminal
device, a managing vessel terminal device, or a land control
center, the maritime wireless communication method comprising:
setting a reference spreading factor applied to each of the at
least one buoy based on a communication quality of the at least one
buoy by a gateway device installed in the fishing vessel terminal
device or the managing vessel terminal device; performing
communication with the at least one buoy using the set reference
spreading factor to receive sensing information obtained using at
least one sensor and identification information and location
information for the at least one buoy; and analyzing the
information received from the at least one buoy and, when an event
condition including a stealing or loss of the at least one buoy is
detected, changing the reference spreading factor into a spreading
factor higher than the reference spreading factor in performing
communication with the at least one buoy, wherein the at least one
buoy includes: a power module providing power required for
operating the at least one buoy; a sensor module including at least
one of a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an
acoustic sensor and providing detected information; a global
positioning system (GPS) reception module providing the location
information for the at least one buoy using a GPS signal; a light
indicator indicating a location of the at least one buoy; and a
control module processing a signal transmitted or received by the
communication module and controlling an overall operation of the at
least one buoy, wherein each of the fishing vessel terminal device
and the managing vessel terminal device includes the gateway
device, a terminal, and an underwater acoustic tracker, wherein the
underwater acoustic tracker includes: a serial interface (I/F) unit
connected with the terminal using serial communication; a
transmission sensor transmitting an acoustic signal to the at least
one buoy; a reception sensor receiving an acoustic signal from the
at least one buoy; a multi-channel signal processing module
detecting all information transmitted from the at least one buoy; a
multi-channel sound transmission module and a multi-channel sound
reception module receiving a sound signal of a frequency band
ranging from 5 Hz to 2,400 Hz at a certain depth, analyzing a
strength and direction of the sound signal, multiplexing or
demultiplexing the analyzed sound signal, and then transmitting the
multiplexed or demultiplexed sound signal; a control module
receiving a communication option and the identification information
for the at least one buoy from the terminal, transmitting, to the
at least one buoy, the identification information according to the
communication option, receiving the identification information for
the at least one buoy and battery status information from the at
least one buoy, and transmitting the received identification
information and battery status information to the terminal; and a
battery providing power required for operating the underwater
acoustic tracker, and wherein the gateway device measures the
communication quality based on signal quality including a received
signal strength indication (RSSI) or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
of a signal transmitted or received with the at least one buoy and
sets the reference spreading factor based on the measured
communication quality.
6. (canceled)
7. The maritime wireless communication method of claim 5, further
comprising: before setting the reference spreading factor, forming
a main communication channel through a public LoRa network for
low-power, long-range communication and, in a shadow area,
releasing the main communication channel with the public LoRa
network and then forming a sub communication channel through a
private LoRa network.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35
U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0160427, filed
on Nov. 25, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0002] This invention was made with Korean government support under
the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion
(KIMST) grant funded by the Korea government (Ministry of Oceans
and Fisheries) (No. 201703882).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a maritime wireless
communication technology capable of ensuring communication
connectivity on the sea.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0004] The description of the Discussion of Related Art section
merely provides information that may be relevant to embodiments of
the disclosure but should not be appreciated as necessarily
constituting the prior art.
[0005] Advanced maritime countries have been continuously
developing technologies for monitoring and integrated management of
fishing gear and fishing conditions of fishing vessels based on
communication and navigation system technology. In particular,
Norway, Canada, and France have launched global fishing gear
monitoring and integrated management systems onto the world
market.
[0006] Fishing gear monitoring may require technology adopting
various sensors (such as ones for measuring or obtaining, e.g.,
fishing net angle, array, distance, temperature, pressure, tension,
or sound) available underwater, underwater acoustic communication
technology, electronic nautical chart-based integrated management
catch monitoring technology, and fishery management support system
technology.
[0007] To minimize damages caused by lost gear, the South Korean
Government announced the Electronic Fishing Gear Real Name System
in 2016. There is a need for communication technology that may
efficiently transmit information including the type and location of
fishing gear and users' real names to fishing vessels and the land
control center so as to reduce the excessive use and waste of
fishing gear.
[0008] Most countries, including South Korea, have currently
adopted automatic fishing gear identification buoys to efficiently
manage fishing gear and have been developing technology for
monitoring fishing gear of fishing vessels at sea using
medium-range (2 km or less) wireless communication.
[0009] Commercial technology is available in which the fishing
vessel receives location information from an electronic buoy
installed on fishing gear and displays the received information on
the global positioning system (GPS) plotter of the fishing vessel.
However, there are still insufficient research efforts and
technological solutions for fishing gear monitoring, integrated
support monitoring, and land control center operation to
comprehensively provide fishing gear and fishing ground information
through, e.g., automatic identification buoys and fishing gear
state information.
[0010] One-to-one wireless communication is mostly adopted between
buoy and vessel using the automatic identification system (AIS)
communication channel frequency for vessels. In South Korea, use of
automatic fishing gear identification buoys is prohibited due to
interference with AIS communication between ships. The land control
center needs to identify multiple buoys and location information
about each buoy through land base stations. However, current
fishing gear controlling is mostly limited to fishing
monitoring.
[0011] Therefore, a need exists for development of a system that
enables monitoring and control by remotely sending various types of
fishing information, such as the location and condition (or
situation) of fishing gear and the location of lost fishing gear,
to fishing vessels, managing vessels, and land control center.
Implementation of such a fishing gear monitoring and control system
may need reliable information transmission/reception via a
low-power, long-range communication network and automation of
fishing gear management and remote monitoring and control on
fishing vessels and the land.
SUMMARY
[0012] According to embodiments of the disclosure, LoRa-based
gateway devices may be implemented to allow a buoy, a fishing
vessel terminal device, and a managing vessel terminal device to
communicate with one another and transmit information to a land
control center. It is possible to change communication options
(e.g., spreading factors) for reliable information
transmission/reception when an event, e.g., emergency, occurs.
[0013] However, the objects of the embodiments are not limited
thereto, and other objects may also be present.
[0014] According to an embodiment, a maritime wireless
communication system performing wireless communication between at
least one buoy, a fishing vessel terminal device, a managing vessel
terminal device, or a land control center comprises a communication
module installed in the at least one buoy, providing sensing
information using at least one sensor, providing identification
information and location information for the at least one buoy, and
ensuring communication connectivity when an event condition
including fishing gear loss occurs and a gateway device installed
in each of the fishing vessel terminal device and the managing
vessel terminal device, performing communication with the at least
one buoy and the land control center via a long range (LoRa)-based
communication network to provide various types of fishery
information including locations and conditions of a fishing vessel
and fishing gear and a location of lost fishing gear, and setting
different communication options for a normal condition and the
event condition in performing a communication connection function.
The communication module of the at least one buoy and the gateway
device installed in each of the fishing vessel terminal device and
the managing vessel terminal device form a main communication
channel through a public LoRa network for low-power long-range
communication and, in a shadow area, releases the main
communication channel with the public LoRa network and then forms a
sub communication channel through a private LoRa network. The
gateway device sets a reference spreading factor applied to each of
the at least one buoy based on a communication quality of the at
least one buoy and changes the reference spreading factor into a
spreading factor higher than the reference spreading factor when
the event condition occurs in performing communication with the at
least one buoy.
[0015] The at least one buoy may include a power module providing
power required for operating the at least one buoy, a sensor module
including at least one of a temperature sensor, an acceleration
sensor, and an acoustic sensor and providing detected information,
a global positioning system (GPS) reception module providing the
location information for the at least one buoy using a GPS signal,
a light indicator (e.g., a lamp) indicating a location of the at
least one buoy, and a control module processing a signal
transmitted or received by the communication module and controlling
an overall operation of the at least one buoy.
[0016] The gateway device may measure the communication quality
based on signal quality including a received signal strength
indication (RSSI) or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal
transmitted or received with the at least one buoy.
[0017] The gateway device may include a broadband communication
module supporting Internet-of-things (IoT) platform-based low-power
broadband communication, a public LoRa module supporting a wireless
protocol with the public LoRa network, a private LoRa module
supporting a wireless protocol with the private LoRa network, a GPS
reception module providing location information for the fishing
vessel terminal device or the managing vessel terminal device using
a GPS signal, and a control module selectively connecting to the
public LoRa network or the private LoRa network depending on a
state of the public LoRa network or the private LoRa network,
setting a communication option depending on the normal condition or
the event condition, and controlling the broadband communication
module, the public LoRa module, the private LoRa module, and the
GPS reception module.
[0018] According to an embodiment, a maritime wireless
communication method performing wireless communication between at
least one buoy, a fishing vessel terminal device, a managing vessel
terminal device, or a land control center comprises setting a
reference spreading factor applied to each of the at least one buoy
based on a communication quality of the at least one buoy by a
gateway device installed in the fishing vessel terminal device or
the managing vessel terminal device, performing communication with
the at least one buoy using the set reference spreading factor to
receive sensing information obtained using at least one sensor and
identification information and location information for the at
least one buoy, and analyzing the information received from the at
least one buoy and, when an event condition including a stealing or
loss of the at least one buoy is detected, changing the reference
spreading factor into a spreading factor higher than the reference
spreading factor in performing communication with the at least one
buoy.
[0019] The communication quality may be measured based on signal
quality including a received signal strength indication (RSSI) or a
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted or received
with the at least one buoy.
[0020] The maritime wireless communication method may further
comprise, before setting the reference spreading factor, forming a
main communication channel through a public LoRa network for
low-power, long-range communication and, in a shadow area,
releasing the main communication channel with the public LoRa
network and then forming a sub communication channel through a
private LoRa network.
[0021] According to embodiments of the disclosure, maritime
wireless communication is performed based on a commercial (e.g.,
public) LoRa network and, in a shadow area which is out of
communication coverage, wireless communication is performed via a
communication channel with a private LoRa network. Therefore, it is
possible to ensure wireless communication connectivity at sea and
thus efficiently transmit or receive information between the buoys,
fishing vessels, managing vessels, and the land control center.
[0022] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the spreading
factor affecting the communication quality of the LoRa network is
changed depending on the normal condition and event condition
(e.g., an emergency) using monitoring technology for managing
fishing gear, so that reliable information transmission may be
performed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of
the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a maritime
wireless communication system according to an embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a buoy
according to an embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a terminal
device for a managing vessel according to an embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a configuration of an
underwater sound tracker according to an embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a maritime wireless
communication method according to an embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a LoRa-based communication
option according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be modified in
various different ways, and should not be construed as limited to
the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference denotations may be
used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the
specification and the drawings. However, the disclosure may be
implemented in other various forms and is not limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. For clarity of the disclosure,
irrelevant parts are removed from the drawings, and similar
reference denotations are used to refer to similar elements
throughout the specification.
[0031] In embodiments of the disclosure, when an element is
"connected" with another element, the element may be "directly
connected" with the other element, or the element may be
"electrically connected" with the other element via an intervening
element. When an element "comprises" or "includes" another element,
the element may further include, but rather than excluding, the
other element, and the terms "comprise" and "include" should be
appreciated as not excluding the possibility of presence or adding
one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts,
or combinations thereof.
[0032] In the disclosure, the term `terminal` or `terminal device`
may refer to a wireless communication device with portability and
mobility, and may be any kind of handheld wireless communication
device, such as a smart phone, a tablet PC, or a laptop computer.
The term `terminal` or `terminal device` may refer to a wired
communication device, such as a personal computer (PC) that may
access other terminals or servers using a network. The network
refers to a connection structure that may exchange information
between nodes, such as terminals and servers, and may include, but
is not limited to, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network
(WAN), the Internet (world wide web (WWW)), a wired/wireless data
communication network, a telephone network, or a wired/wireless
television communication network. Examples of wireless data
networks include, but are not limited to, 3G, 4G, 5G, 3rd
generation partnership project (3GPP), long term evolution (LTE),
world interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX),
wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth communication, infrared
communication, ultrasound communication, visible light
communication (VLC), and Li-Fi networks.
[0033] Example embodiments are described below for a better
understanding of the disclosure, but the disclosure is not limited
thereto. Therefore, it should be noted that any embodiment
performing substantially the same function as the embodiments
disclosed herein belong to the scope of the disclosure.
[0034] The components, processes, steps, or methods according to
embodiments of the disclosure may be shared as long as they do not
technically conflict with each other.
[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0036] LoRa (Long Range) is a standard based on IEEE 802.15.4g and
may implement asynchronous low-power, long-range communication
networks. The Internet-of-things (IoT) scenario using LoRa may be
used for similar purposes to the CDMA/LTE modem-type IoT scenario
currently in use but provides much easier accessibility. The scheme
using LoRa and the scheme using CDMA/LTE modem are commonly used in
outdoor environments where no network is established or in
environments where a network is difficult to establish, rather than
indoor environments where a network may easily be established.
[0037] LoRa may receive or handle a large number of terminals by a
simple access procedure and allows the terminal to access a
plurality of base stations, thereby enabling data transmissions
from/to the terminal via an optimal path. LoRa allows for low-cost
establishment by simplified connection between terminal and base
station, high resistance to signal interference, and optimal
frequency use.
[0038] According to the disclosure, there is provided a monitoring
and integrated control technique that may perform communication
between a buoy, a terminal device for a fishing vessel (simply,
referred to as a fishing vessel terminal device), a terminal device
for a managing vessel (simply, referred to as a managing vessel
terminal device), and a land control center via a LoRa-based
communication network, receive information from the buoy, and
remotely monitor and manage the deployment of fishing gear
(including buoys, gillnets, or other fishing tools) and loss of
fishing gear.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a maritime
wireless communication system according to an embodiment.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a maritime wireless communication
system may include at least one or more buoys 100, a terminal
device 200 for a fishing vessel (also referred to herein as a
fishing vessel terminal device 200), a terminal device 300 for a
managing vessel (also referred to herein as a managing vessel
terminal device 300), and a land control center 400.
[0041] The buoys 100 are detachably installed on fishing gear,
e.g., gillnets, at regular intervals, provide sensing information
using at least one sensor, and provides its own identification
information and location information. The buoy may include various
sensors, such as a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, a
water detection sensor, or an acoustic sensor (or sound sensor) for
underwater acoustic communication (e.g., sound wave
communication).
[0042] The fishing vessel terminal device 200 may be installed in a
fishing vessel. The fishing vessel terminal device 200 register its
fishing gear identification information in the at least one or more
buoys 100 and communicates with the buoy 100 to identify location
information for the buoy 100. For example, the fishing vessel
terminal device 200 may register identification information for
fishing gear related to the fishing vessel terminal device 200 in
at least one buoy 100 and obtain location information for the buoy
100 related to the fishing vessel terminal device 200 via
communication with the buoy 100. The fishing vessel terminal device
200 provides fishing vessel information including fishing vessel
identification information, fishing vessel location information,
fishing gear identification information, and buoy location
information to the land control center 400. For example, the
fishing vessel terminal device 200 may provide fishing vessel
information including identification information and location
information for the fishing vessel in which the fishing vessel
terminal device 200 is installed and identification information and
location information for the buoy related to the fishing vessel
terminal device 200 to the land control center 400.
[0043] The managing vessel terminal device 300 may be installed in
a managing vessel. Upon receiving loss information for a buoy or a
fishing gear from the land control center 400, the managing vessel
terminal device 300 may perform an operation for recovering the
lost fishing gear by performing fishing gear scanning. The managing
vessel terminal device 300 needs to know or have the location of
(or location information for) fishing vessels and buoys that it
manages or is in charge of for fishing guidance or control. The
managing vessel terminal device 300 includes a managing vessel
wireless router 310, a managing vessel terminal 320, and an
underwater acoustic tracker (also referred to as a sound tracker)
330.
[0044] The land control center 400 manages fishing gears or fishing
vessels within a predetermined area, transmits and receives
information to/from the fishing vessel terminal device 200 and the
buoy 100 using a communication network, and detects a stealing or
loss of the buoy 100 and notifies the fishing vessel terminal
device 200 or the managing vessel terminal device 300 of the
stealing or loss of the buoy.
[0045] The fishing vessel wireless node 210 and the managing vessel
wireless router 310 are gateways (or also referred to as gateway
devices) for LoRa-based wireless relay communication. The fishing
vessel wireless node 210 and the managing vessel wireless router
310 are connected with a plurality of buoys 100, located within a
predetermined radius (e.g., 10 Km) from the fishing vessel, through
communication channels and transmit/receive information to/from the
buoys 100.
[0046] The fishing vessel terminal 220 and the managing vessel
terminal 320 may be common server computers or may be other various
types of devices that may function as servers. For example, the
fishing vessel terminal 220 and the managing vessel terminal 320
each may be implemented as a computing device including a
communication module (not shown), a memory (not shown), a processor
(not shown), and a database (not shown).
[0047] The land control center 400 may receive integrated
information, such as information operated in, e.g., an intelligent
navigation system (INS), integrated maritime information technology
(IMIT), or marine environment information system (MEIS) in the
fishing vessel terminal 220 or the managing vessel terminal 320,
through a communication network, thereby monitoring the current
state of the vessel in real-time.
[0048] The land control center 400 uses a communication platform to
support a communication protocol of a commercial LoRa network (also
referred to herein as a public LoRa (network)) and a broadband
network (Cat.M1). The land control center 400 may transmit buoy
state information (including, e.g., GPS information, buoy location
information, fishing gear identification information, and battery
information), meteorological information (e.g., weather
information), and fishing gear loss information through a downlink,
and may receive voyage information (e.g., vessel information,
abnormality or defect, location, speed, or sailing direction)
through an uplink.
[0049] To this end, the land control center 400 may fetch or store
information from a database storing fishing gear identification
information, fisherman information, information for the area
controlled or administered by each managing vessel, and fishing
vessel information, through commercial network data linkage
middleware.
[0050] Therefore, the land control center 400 grasps, on land, the
location of at least one or more fishing gear and at least one or
more buoys, and communicates with the managing vessel terminal
device 300 or the fishing vessel terminal device 200 to thereby
perform remote monitoring between the land and the managing
vessel/fishing vessel. Accordingly, the land control center 400
provides meteorological information and ocean condition information
to the vessel, and receives the integrated information for the
vessel to thereby perform real-time monitoring and control of the
vessel, on land. For example, the land control center 400 displays
the state of the vessel, received by wireless communication (e.g.,
via a satellite or wireless communication modem) to the vessel, and
transmits MEIS meteorological information and control commands to
the vessel and transmits control signals to the buoy.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a buoy
according to an embodiment.
[0052] The buoy 100 may include, but is not limited to, a power
module 110 (e.g., a power source), a sensor module 120 (e.g., at
least one sensor), a global positioning system (GPS) reception
module 130 (e.g., a GPS receiver), a communication module 140
(e.g., a transceiver or a communication circuit), and a control
module 150 (e.g., a controller).
[0053] The power module 110 provides power required for the
operation of the buoy 100. The power module 110 may report the
state of the battery to the fishing vessel terminal device 200 or
the managing vessel terminal device 300 using the communication
module 140.
[0054] The sensor module 120 may include at least one of a
temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an acoustic sensor,
and provides sensor information detected or obtained by the sensor
to the control module 150.
[0055] The GPS reception module 130 provides the current location
(or location information) of the buoy to the control module 150
using a GPS signal received from a GPS satellite. The GPS reception
module 130 may receive a signal from a global navigation satellite
system (GNSS) or a satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) to
thereby provide location information with high accuracy.
[0056] The communication module 140 may communicate with the
fishing vessel terminal device 200, the managing vessel terminal
device 300, and the land control center 400 by selectively using a
commercial LoRa and a private LoRa depending on the state of the
radio wave. The communication module 140 may connect the fishing
vessel wireless node 210 or the managing vessel wireless router 310
to a LoRa-based communication network.
[0057] The buoy 100 may further include a light indicator (e.g., a
lamp) 170 that allows the buoy 100 or its position to be identified
with the naked eye at night.
[0058] The buoy 100 may further include a memory 160. The control
module 150 may control the overall operation of each component in
the buoy 100 using various programs stored in the memory 160 and
process signals transmitted and received by the communication
module 140.
[0059] The memory 160 may store identification information and
control information for the buoy 100 as well as a program for
controlling the operation of the buoy 100.
[0060] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a terminal
device for a managing vessel according to an embodiment.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, the managing vessel terminal device 300
includes, but is not limited to, a managing vessel wireless router
310, a managing vessel terminal 320, and an underwater acoustic
tracker 330.
[0062] The managing vessel wireless router 310 is a gateway device
and includes a broadband communication module 313 (e.g., a
transceiver or a communication circuit), a commercial LoRa module
314 (e.g., a network interface or connector with a commercial LoRa
network), a private LoRa module 315 (e.g., a network interface or
connector with a private LoRa network), a GPS reception module 312
(e.g., a GPS receiver), a control module 311 (e.g., a controller),
a battery 316, and an antenna.
[0063] The broadband communication module 313 supports IoT
platform-based low-power broadband communication (Cat.M1). The
commercial LoRa module 314 supports a wireless protocol with a
commercial LoRa network, and the private LoRa module 315 supports a
wireless protocol with a private LoRa network.
[0064] The GPS reception module 312 provides the current location
(or location information) of the managing vessel terminal device
300 using a GPS signal received from a GPS satellite.
[0065] The control module 311 is connected with the managing vessel
terminal 320 via Ethernet or wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
selectively connects to a commercial LoRa network and a private
LoRa network depending on the network condition. The control module
311 sets communication options according to a normal situation (or
normal condition) and an event situation (or event condition or
simply `event`), and performs various control operations on the
modules in the managing vessel wireless router 310.
[0066] The battery 316 provides power required for the operation of
the wireless router 310.
[0067] The fishing vessel terminal device 200 may have
substantially the same configuration as the managing vessel
terminal device 300, and no duplicate description thereof is given
below.
[0068] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a configuration of an
underwater sound tracker according to an embodiment.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, the underwater sound tracker 230
includes a serial interface (I/F) unit 231 (e.g., a serial
interface), a multi-channel signal processing module 232 (e.g., a
multi-channel signal processor), a multi-channel sound transmission
module 233 (e.g., a multi-channel sound transmitter), a
multi-channel sound reception module 234 (e.g., a multi-channel
sound receiver), a control module 235 (e.g., a controller), a power
source 236, a transmission sensor 237, and a reception sensor
238.
[0070] The serial interface unit 231 is connected with the fishing
vessel terminal 220 using serial communication, e.g., RS-232C.
[0071] The transmission sensor 237 and the reception sensor 238,
respectively, transmit and receive acoustic signals (or sound
signals) to/from the buoy 100.
[0072] To detect all the information transmitted from the buoy 100,
the multi-channel sound transmission module 233, the multi-channel
sound reception module 234, and the multi-channel signal processing
module 232 are implemented in a structure having at least four
channels. The multi-channel sound transmission module 233, the
multi-channel sound reception module 234, and the multi-channel
signal processing module 232 receive a sound signal of a frequency
band ranging from 5 Hz to 2,400 Hz at a certain depth, analyze the
strength and direction of the signal, multiplex/demultiplex the
signal, and then transmits the signal.
[0073] Upon receiving a communication option, such as signal
strength or pulse width, and identification information for the
buoy from the fishing vessel terminal 220, the control module 235
transmits the corresponding information to the buoy 100 according
to the communication option. The control module 235 receives
identification information and battery status information from the
buoy 100 and transmits the identification information, battery
status information, and distance information for the buoy to the
fishing vessel terminal 220. In this case, the control module 235
may obtain distance the distance (or distance information) from the
buoy by analyzing the sound signals transmitted and received
to/from the buoy.
[0074] The power source 236 (e.g., a battery) provides power
required for the operation of the underwater sound tracker 230.
[0075] The configuration of the underwater acoustic tracker 230
described above may be applied to the underwater acoustic tracker
330 of the managing vessel terminal device 300. In other words, the
underwater acoustic tracker 230 of the fishing vessel terminal
device 200 and the underwater acoustic tracker 330 of the managing
vessel terminal device 300 may have substantially the same
configuration.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a maritime wireless
communication method according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view
illustrating a LoRa-based communication option according to an
embodiment.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the fishing vessel wireless node
210 or the managing vessel wireless router 310, which may be a
gateway or a gateway device, selectively accesses or connects to a
commercial LoRa network or a private LoRa network according to the
radio wave condition, thereby establishing a communication channel
(S11).
[0078] The buoy 100, the fishing vessel terminal device 200, the
managing vessel terminal device 300, and the land control center
400 form a communication channel based on LoRa for low-power,
long-range communication.
[0079] The land control center 400 forms a main communication
channel with the buoy 100, the fishing vessel terminal device 200,
and the managing vessel terminal device 300 using a commercial LoRa
network (e.g., a public LoRa network). Accordingly, the land
control center 400 may receive a report of the location of the buoy
100 and fishing gear information from the buoy 100 and may transmit
buoy control signals to each buoy 100 through the main
communication channel. Further, the land control center 400 may
receive fishing gear information and buoy location information from
the fishing vessel wireless node 210 and transmit fishing gear loss
information to the fishing vessel wireless node 210 through the
main communication channel. The land control center 400 may
transmit and receive information for all the buoys and fishing
gears in the area controlled or managed by the managing vessel, and
fishing gear loss information to/from the managing vessel wireless
router 310. Communication may be established between the land
control center 400 and the managing vessel wireless router 310 for
sharing information, such as fishing gear loss and other relevant
information related to all of the buoys and fishing gears in the
area controlled or managed by the managing vessel. Accordingly, the
managing vessel terminal 320 may receive a result of determination
(e.g., information about loss of fishing gear) from the land
control center 400 using a commercial long-term evolution (LTE)
network (CAT. M1).
[0080] In a shadow area which is out of the communication coverage,
the buoy 100, the fishing vessel wireless node 210, and the
managing vessel wireless router 310 may release the main
communication channel through the commercial LoRa network and
establish a sub communication channel using the private LoRa
network to transmit and receive information.
[0081] The buoy 100, the fishing vessel terminal device 200, and
the managing vessel terminal device 300 determine the communication
state using an acknowledgment (Ack)/negative-acknowledgment (Nack)
response signal responsive to a traffic request. When the
communication state is good, the buoy 100, the fishing vessel
terminal device 200, and the managing vessel terminal device 300
transmit and receive information via the main communication channel
but, upon failing to receive an Ack response signal during a preset
time via the main communication channel, determine that the
communication through the main communication channel is
disconnected and form a sub communication channel to the private
LoRa network.
[0082] As such, the buoy 100, the fishing vessel terminal device
200, and the managing vessel terminal device 300 may selectively
connect to the commercial LoRa network and the private LoRa network
depending on the state or condition of the radio wave or
propagation of the radio wave, thereby securing a communication
speed and communication connectivity.
[0083] The gateway device (e.g., fishing vessel wireless node 210
or the managing vessel wireless router 310) measures the
communication quality based on the signal quality including the
received signal strength indication (RSSI) and signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR) of the signal transmitted or received with the buoy 100
and sets a reference spreading factor applied to each buoy based on
the measured communication quality (S12).
[0084] The gateway device (e.g., fishing vessel wireless node 210
or the managing vessel wireless router 310) performs normal
communication with the buoy 100 using the set reference spreading
factor and, upon detecting an event situation, e.g., a stealing or
loss of the buoy 100 or fishing gear (S13), changes the reference
spreading factor into a higher spreading factor than the reference
spreading factor and receives event information (e.g., fishing gear
loss information including the state of fishing gear loss and GPS
information) from the buoy 100 (S14 and S15). In the LoRa-based
communication network, the transmission distance and transmission
speed vary depending on the spreading factor applied to the buoy
100 and the gateway device (e.g., fishing vessel wireless node 210
or the managing vessel wireless router 310). As illustrated in FIG.
6, in the LoRa-based communication network, the spreading factor is
a major feature that is responsible for the quality of
communication, and the data transmission rate (e.g., bitrate) and
data transmission speed (e.g., time-on-air) vary depending on the
spreading factor. For example, it may be identified from FIG. 6
that as the spreading factor increases, the minimum SNR value
(i.e., SNS limit) and the data transmission rate (i.e., bitrate)
decrease, but the spreading range and the data transmission speed
(i.e., time-on-air) increase and vice versa (in other words, as the
spreading factor decreases, the minimum SNR value (i.e., SNS limit)
and the data transmission rate (i.e., bitrate) increase, but the
spreading range and the data transmission speed (i.e., time-on-air)
decrease). For instance, from FIG. 6 is observed that the lower the
spreading factor, the higher the data transmission rate (i.e.,
bitrate), but lower the application range. Additionally, the higher
the spreading factor is, the higher the packet latency and energy
consumption, and the lower the data transmission rate. The capacity
of a LoRaWAN network is a function of its gateway density. To
maximize the capacity of the network, using an adaptive data rate
(ADR) mechanism is essential. The main goal of ADR is to save the
battery power of the LoRaWAN end-nodes. By having the end-nodes
closest to a gateway transmit using the lowest spreading factor,
their time on air is minimized, thereby prolonging their battery
life. More distant sensors transmit at a higher spreading factor. A
trade-off is made between battery power and distance given that a
higher spreading factor allows for a gateway to connect to devices
that are farther away.
[0085] In general, in a normal situation where normal communication
is required, a lower spreading factor in which both time and energy
may be saved, and a high communication speed is provided may be
used, but the success rate of the communication may be reduced. It
may be preferable to change the communication option into a higher
spreading factor in which packet loss is reduced and communication
success rate is increased upon detecting an event, such as a
stealing or loss of fishing gear.
[0086] Accordingly, the gateway device (e.g., fishing vessel
wireless node 210 or the managing vessel wireless router 310) may
set the reference spreading factor to `7` and, when an event, e.g.,
stealing or loss of fishing gear, occurs, may use a communication
option for the spreading factor between 7 and 12, but it may be
preferable to change the spreading factor into 12 when such an
event occurs. When the reference spreading factor is set to 7, the
response time is shortest, and the most data may be transmitted.
However, if the reception sensitivity is low, the spreading factor
may be adjusted upon transmission.
[0087] When no event situation is detected (S13), the gateway
device (e.g., fishing vessel wireless node 210 or the managing
vessel wireless router 310) communicates with the buoy 100 at a
spreading factor not more than the reference spreading factor to
receive location information or battery status information from the
buoy 100 and transmits control information to the buoy 100 (S16 and
S17).
[0088] If the communication state or condition is good,
communication between the buoy 100 and the land control center 400
is performed via the commercial LoRa network. The land control
center 400 may determine whether to change the spreading factor
after measuring the signal quality using the information received
from the buoy 100, so that the communication quality between the
land control center 400 and the buoy 100 may be enhanced.
[0089] Meanwhile, when communication is disconnected, communication
is performed between the gateway device (e.g., fishing vessel
wireless node 210 or the managing vessel wireless router 310) and
the buoy 100 through the private LoRa network. The gateway device
(e.g., fishing vessel wireless node 210 or the managing vessel
wireless router 310) may determine whether to change the spreading
factor (SF) communication option after measuring the signal quality
using the information received from the buoy 100, so that the
communication quality between the gateway device and the buoy 100
may be enhanced.
[0090] Steps S11 to S17 of FIG. 6 may be divided into additional
sub-steps or may be combined into fewer steps according to
embodiments of the disclosure. Further, some of the steps may be
omitted as necessary, or the order of the steps may be changed.
[0091] The above-described embodiments may be implemented in the
form of recording media including computer-executable instructions,
such as program modules. The computer-readable medium may be an
available medium that is accessible by a computer. The
computer-readable storage medium may include a volatile medium, a
non-volatile medium, a separable medium, and/or an inseparable
medium. The computer-readable storage medium may include a computer
storage medium. The computer storage medium may include a volatile
medium, a non-volatile medium, a separable medium, and/or an
inseparable medium that is implemented in any method or scheme to
store computer-readable commands, data architecture, program
modules, or other data or information.
[0092] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, It will be appreciated
by one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be
implemented in other various specific forms without changing the
essence or technical spirit of the disclosure. Thus, it should be
noted that the above-described embodiments are provided as examples
and should not be interpreted as limiting. Each of the components
may be separated into two or more units or modules to perform its
function(s) or operation(s), and two or more of the components may
be integrated into a single unit or module to perform their
functions or operations.
[0093] It should be noted that the scope of the disclosure is
defined by the appended claims rather than the described
description of the embodiments and include all modifications or
changes made to the claims or equivalents of the claims.
* * * * *